The former international banker said local issues include an 84pc council tax increase over the last eight years - which he pledges to halt.

And he assured users of Darlington Memorial Hospital that his party's plans to cut investment in the NHS would not stop free treatment at the point of care.

But former Stokesley School pupil, Mr Milburn, hit back: "Darlington is moving forward. Now we face a big choice, keep going forward with a strong economy, or go back to a Tory past of £35 billion public spending cuts, high mortgage rates and boom or bust."

Mr Milburn has been the Darlington MP since 1992. In 2001 he won a 55pc share of the 40,754 votes cast. Conservatives were second with 12,950 (32pc) and the Liberal Democrats third with 4,358 (11pc).

Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride for Mr Milburn.

In June 2003 the father-of-two resigned as Health Secretary "to spend more time with his children". But by September he was back on the political main stage as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - but his real role was general election co-ordinator.

He said: "As Darlington's MP I've won money for local schools and changes to toughen the murder laws. Unemployment has halved in the town.

"Hard-working families are better off with low mortgages and more childcare. Pensioners are getting more help. The NHS and schools are improving with Labour's record investment."

However, the issues of the war in Iraq and top-up fees for students may tip some floating voters into the camp of the Liberal Democrats.

Their candidate is Robert Adamson, who also stood in 2001.

Mr Adamson said: "As I speak to people who come up to me in the street, how many are saying that they have always been life-long Labour and now they want to change and they are going to vote Lib Dem."

Mr Adamson said the main local issues were the development of High Row and the transport infrastructure.

The closure of Rise Carr Primary School because class size numbers dropped below 20 was also a concern, said Mr Adamson.

As a wheelchair user Mr Adamson said issues with disabled people, carers and children with special needs were also close to his heart.

Also standing in Darlington is John Joseph Hoodless of the UK Independence Party, whose policies include withdrawal from the European Community.

David Edward Davies is standing for Veritas who pledge to introduce a flat tax of 22pc.